Chennai: After making flyers trek to the multi-level car parking lot (MLCP) to board cabs for nearly two years, Chennai airport authorities are finally preparing to shift the cab pick-up point to the plaza in front of the T1 domestic terminal by end of this month.According to sources, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has appointed a consultant to redraw the routes for private and commercial vehicles. A provisional plan has already been submitted.Private vehicles are now allowed to pick up passengers at the terminals, but those booking cabs must go to the West MLCP. “To allow cabs to pick up passengers at plaza, the routes need to be redrawn and it is in final stages,” said an official source.The plaza was constructed at a cost of ₹28.72 crore as an open waiting lounge. Despite it being ready since Dec last year, the inauguration was delayed in anticipation of legal repercussions from the airport’s previous parking contractor. However, AAI is said to have decided to go ahead with the inauguration. The plaza will also have booking kiosks for different cab aggregators.The shift could benefit nearly 33,000 passengers a day, with Chennai airport handling 55,000 passengers daily and 60% of the footfall coming through T1 domestic terminal. They will be able to simply walk to the plaza and board cabs.Airport officials said at least 10,000 passengers board private vehicles at the terminals, while buggies cater to the remaining passengers arriving at T4 domestic and T2 international terminals. “The buggies will operate from T4 to T1, and to the multi-level parking lot,” said officials.The cab pick-up revamp comes alongside a major effort to improve passenger movement at Chennai airport, which has been faring poorly in passenger surveys conducted by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).“The signages will be replaced with backlit boards, which are easily visible at night. We will also rectify signage duplications. Digital maps will be installed in front of terminals, so passengers can see where they are and how to navigate further. In addition, we will deploy 105 passenger guidance personnel, and a canopy structure will be installed in the areas. The work is underway,” said an official.A Sankar of the Indian Air Passengers Association welcomed the developments, but urged AAI to provide a time-bound schedule for the plaza launch. “It will put an end to most of the problems commuters face at the exit,” he said.
